Rugby brawl schools await official verdict

The principals of Auckland Grammar and Kelston Boys High have given different accounts of who struck the first blow. Photo / Murray Job, Sky Sport

Auckland Grammar's 1st XV will find out today whether it will be banned from the secondary school's rugby final against Mt Albert Grammar at Eden Park this weekend because of the brawl at its semifinal against Kelston Boys' High School.

Representatives of the two school teams faced a closed-doors Auckland Rugby Union judicial hearing last night for about an hour-and-a-half.

A decision on whether any penalties would be imposed on the two schools was put off until today.

Kelston principal Steve Watt, whose school yesterday suspended seven players over the fight, told the hearing that security should be arranged for future games.

Principals should consider a joint approach for security arrangements through College Sport, he said.

Mr Watt told the hearing the school was "embarrassed and ashamed" by the incident, but maintained it did not start the fight.

He said the first blow was struck by an Auckland Grammar player who "either punched or thumped" the back of a Kelston player.

But his school "accepts there was no mitigating element of self defence as a result of the punch ... to justify the brawling incident which followed."

After the hearing the chairwoman of the judicial panel, Sarah Jane Neville, said the parties had agreed on preliminary issues.

"On that basis the matter is going to proceed [today] for a determination at Eden Park at 5pm," she said.

Coaches, principals and school advocates attended the meeting with a group of about three students from Auckland Grammar and the captain of the Kelston 1st XV.

Neither of the groups would comment on the proceedings.

Mr Watt said five of his school's 1st XV players and two 2nd XV players, who were watching the game and joined the fight, had been suspended from the school.

Auckland Grammar, which won the match 20-9, has not said how many students it might suspend.

Players and up to 100 spectators were caught up in the fight, which erupted in the final minutes of the game at Auckland Grammar.

It lasted five minutes, and at least one schoolboy was knocked unconscious, witnesses said.

Mr Watt said he had reviewed video evidence of the incident and interviewed players involved.

The suspended students will appear before the board of trustees' disciplinary committee.

Mr Watt said a full school assembly was held on Monday at which he "expressed disgust" at the school's involvement.